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Comic Book Day: Pull List for November 6, 2013

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So, you’ve made it all the way to Wednesday, you’ve enjoyed the hell out of the Nerdist News premiere, you’re eagerly awaiting episode two, and you’ve got a hole burning in your pocket because it’s Comic Book Day. Well, do we have a pull list for you! From another thrilling installment of The Star Wars to villains running amok in the DCU to a futuristic slice-of-life story that you won’t want to miss, this week’s pull list is bursting at the seams with all manner of graphic art goodness.

Top Picks

The Star Wars #3 | J.W. Rinzler, Mike Mayhew and Rain Beredo

Look, if you aren’t already losing your mind over how much fun The Star Wars is, then do yourself a favor and buy issues 1 and 2, because this is a mini-series that is not to be missed. J.W. Rinzler’s adaptation of Lucas’ original Star Wars script has an uncanny valley factor without any of the inherent creepiness. It’s a lot like the Star Wars version of an Elseworlds tale, and it’s all brought to life by Mike Mayhew’s stunning artwork. His painterly quality coupled with Rain Beredo’s eye-popping colors make The Star Wars a sumptuous visual feast, and Rinzler’s script is the truffle salt on top. Our heroes are on the run with Princess Leia in tow and the Empire is in hot pursuit. Exposition is deftly doled out across expertly choreographed action sequences and familiar characters make an appearance. Namely, the droids we’ve all been looking for. And get this – R2 is a mouthy little so-and-so. I know, right? But, don’t take my word for it. Put this issue on your pull list today and thank me later.

Forever Evil #3 | Geoff Johns, David Finch, Richard Friend

I’ll be the first to admit that “Trinity War” captured my imagination hook, line, and sinker, and now I’m hopelessly caught up in the story, eagerly awaiting each new installment to find out just what the murderous, bizarro versions of the Justice League are up to. Last issue concluded with a thunderous confrontation between Ultraman and Black Adam, and it picks up right where it left off, alternating between several different story threads and making sure to balance the expository, plot-propelling dialogue with bursts of kinetic, hyperviolent action. One panel in particular during the Ultraman/Black Adam fight will make you grateful to have dental insurance and possibly leave you cringing for hours after the fact. Geoff Johns wisely doesn’t drop too much narrative plot-hammering into his script, finding a nice balance between action and story, but where he most succeeds is in his choice of characters. It is the unlikeliest group that is poised to save the day and I for one cannot wait to see how it all plays out, especially when it’s rendered so wonderfully by artists David Finch and Richard Friend.

Alex + Ada #1 | Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn

Writer/artist Jonathan Luna (Spider-Woman, Girls, The Sword) and writer Sarah Vaughn (Sparkshooter) have something special on their hands with the debut issue for their new monthly Image Comics series Alex + Ada. Set in the not-too-distant future, most technology is automated, controlled by an implanted chip that relays your thoughts and brainwaves to your television, lights, and most other appliances. Artificial intelligence has become widely used and is relied on heavily by the consuming populace. With the exception of one horrific incident in which an A.I. gained self-awareness and murdered hundreds of people, A.I. and personal androids have become commonplace. Hell, some people even use them for sexbots.

Our hero, Alex, is a 27 year-old young professional who lives a pretty normal, humdrum life. Like the technology he relies on, his life seems to be automated. He has friends and can hold down a job, but he is largely unfulfilled, partially due to a breakup he still isn’t over, seven months later. When his birthday rolls around, he can’t seem to see the forest for the trees when his friend Isabel displays romantic interest in him; he is stuck in a perpetual fog. As I mentioned before, some people use androids for sexbots — Alex’s grandmother, for one. It isn’t too long before Alex finds himself in possession of one – a pretty-looking female model. Issue #1 does a tremendous job of setting the stage for what’s to come, a slice-of-life-meets-sci-fi story that feels human and grounded despite its futuristic subject matter. There’s a real Chobits vibe to issue #1, albeit with fewer boob-induced nosebleeds, and an undeniable charisma to the book that already has me craving issue #2.